Trainee lawyer first to be fired

THE first contestant to be booted off the new series of The Apprentice today said he hoped to pursue his original ambition to become a lawyer. Sir Alan gave Nicholas de Lacy-Brown - a trainee barrister - the boot after the very first task, selling fresh fish, after a row over lobster prices revealed he was more suited to the courtroom than the boardroom.

THE first contestant to be booted off the new series of The Apprentice today said he hoped to pursue his original ambition to become a lawyer.

Sir Alan gave Nicholas de Lacy-Brown - a trainee barrister - the boot after the very first task, selling fresh fish, after a row over lobster prices revealed he was more suited to the courtroom than the boardroom.

The first episode of the new series - which sees hopefuls battle it out for a job with Sir Alan's company - aired on BBC1 last night.

The 23-year-old said: "I feel a mixture of disappointment at being the first to go and relief to be out of there. I am glad to have saved my reputation which I will need to become a lawyer.

"Sir Alan and I were like chalk and cheese and I felt like a fish out of water if you'll excuse the pun.

"I soon realised it wasn't really for me and so did Sir Alan. Being on the show definitely made me realise I'm a lawyer through and through.

"I found myself relying on my skills as a barrister in the boardroom and Sir Alan even said I looked like a lawyer, which filled me with pride."

Art lover

The art lover admitted he did not get on well with Bolton's Alex Wotherspoon, who was project manager for the boys' team, and confessed he struggled with his own insecurities in his attempt to be liked by his team mates.

He said: "Being on the show was very stressful and traumatic and I found myself trying hard to be liked by the other candidates, who were also my competition.

"I worried that they didn't like me and realised that I am actually quite an insecure person when I don't have the support of my family and friends."

The young lawyer's brief appearance on the show made him realise he was not cut out to be a businessman and he is due to start his pupilage with a law firm later this year, he said.

He is now already tipping 28-year-old retail buyer Claire Young to win.

He said: "It's hard for me to say who might win as I only met them so briefly, but the girls won the first task led by Claire, so I'd say she's got a strong chance.